Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis with unsteady gait and slurred speech is denied, while the claim for residuals of neck injury, cervical spine degenerative joint disease of the right upper extremity is granted as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle disability, cervical (neck) injury, lumbosacral strain, right ear injury, right jaw injury, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran will be afforded examinations to address these issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back, neck, and right hip disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and the Veteran's credible testimony of an inservice injury. The claim will be returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for abdominal injury, tuberculosis, spots on the lungs, and kidney disorder. The remaining issues of cervical spine DDD, right shoulder neuritis, pelvis fracture residuals, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder were denied.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 30 percent since the date of his claim, effective February 19, 2020.,Radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 20 percent as of October 16, 2019.,Radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 20 percent as of October 16, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to new evidence submitted by the veteran. The claims are being reopened as there is now sufficient evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, TMJ, and various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions are also denied.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, lower back disability, neck disability, acquired skin disorder (PFB, eczema, lichen simplex), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depressive disorder). The claim for bilateral pes planus is granted due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition during active service. The other claims are remanded as new evidence has been received but the Board did not find it sufficient to grant service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is advised to provide copies of any Army service treatment records in his possession, as well as outstanding private treatment records.

Service connection for sleep apnea was denied.,Radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted with a rating of 20 percent, but no higher.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve involvement) as secondary to a service-connected degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine. The issues regarding neck/cervical spine disability and right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and dismissed the claim for a right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorder and migraine headaches. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for hip and knee disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post total knee replacement is granted as service connection. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, cervical/lumbar spine disability, hypertension (HTN), and abnormal heart rate are denied.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted, effective from his death in December 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for various hand, wrist, elbow, cervical spine, and knee conditions due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during active service or being related to an in-service injury, event, disease, or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities, as well as shin splints, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran was granted an extraschedular TDIU from January 12, 2017 to January 18, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this period, the criteria for TDIU were not met.